# OK to drive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 9, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067 "2014-01-09T23:57:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chrisgrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@chrisgrace](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chrisgrace)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067/1 "2014-01-09T23:57:31Z")
Last night, in extremely icy conditions, my 2001 Ford Windstar couldn’t make it up the hill on ice. I gunned the engine, the tires spun, I got to the top of the hill, but then the engine stopped, with first the battery light, then the check engine light on. The lights and radio stayed on, but I was pressing the accelerator and the van wouldn’t go. I activated my hazards and turned off the ignition. I waited a moment, and it started right up, no dash service lights on, and I made it the half a mile home… is it OK to drive today? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067/2 "2014-01-10T00:13:14Z")
Did it start ok, today? ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067/3 "2014-01-10T00:17:35Z")
It sounds to me like the van stalled. I don’t think anyone can tell you whether it will stall again or not - but there’s only one way to find out. I think your biggest problem is the ice rather the engine. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067/4 "2014-01-10T00:43:32Z")
Who knows why it stalled? Just go ahead and drive it and keep an eye on the guages for any issues. Can’t see how spinning the wheels up a hill would have done much except overheated the tires and transmission. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 1:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067/5 "2014-01-10T01:24:36Z")
If you have to ask… Seriously, if you aren’t sure, you shouldn’t let strangers on the internet decide. Get it checked out by a mechanic. I’m wondering if this vehicle has some kind of traction control system that cut your power. Reading the owner’s manual might shed some light on the situation. ---
**Author:** ![chrisgrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@chrisgrace](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chrisgrace)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067/6 "2014-01-10T01:29:40Z")
Thanks… it worked fine today. I let it warm up well to make sure no lights came on, then traveled 20 miles without any problems. I’ll take it to the shop next week. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 1:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ok-to-drive/83067/7 "2014-01-10T01:57:38Z")
Did you rev the engine all the way to the redline (which really wouldn’t be a good idea)? If so, maybe your rev limiter malfunctioned and stalled the engine completely.